ST. LUKE’S COMMUNITY CHURCH
1140 McDuff Avenue South Jacksonville, Florida 32205-7551
Phone: (904) 389-7726 Fax: (904) 389-7626
stlukescc@bellsouth.net www.stlukescommunitychurch.org
Sunday Worship 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
ACT 29 E-NEWSLETTER
Volume 2, Issue 5 Febuary 3, 2009
St. Luke’s – The name “St. Luke’s” was chosen as our name in 1984 because Saint Luke was the only Gentile writer of the Bible. He was a physician and patron saint of healing. St. Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of women, gentiles, prodigals, and Samaritans.
Act 29 Newsletter - Saint Luke also wrote the book of Acts, and it’s the New Testament book that records the history of the birth and growth of the church. The Book of Acts ends rather abruptly in the 28th chapter, but the history and growth of the church continues. Our e-newsletter strives to tell that continuing story of church growth and so the name Act 29 was chosen. St. Luke’s Community Church might be considered the 29th act in the drama of God’s redemption.
-Reprinted from Act 29 Newsletter November 1985-
STAFF/OFFICE HOURS
The church office hours are as follows:
Monday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Tuesday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Rev. Harvey will be taking Monday as a “day of rest” but will be available in emergencies, etc. Unless visiting hospitals, nursing homes or in meetings, he is in the office Tuesday through Friday. He is available at any time other than office hours as needed. His home phone is 904-797-4476, and his cell phone is 904-315-8274.
Tommy Strong, our Minister of Music, will be in the church office during morning hours, Monday through Friday. His cell phone, for emergencies, is 904-465-5880.
Should you phone the church office and hear a voice other than Rev. Harvey or Tommy, we do have a few “Girl Fridays” and “Guy Fridays” who have volunteered to assist us with office duties. Should you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and someone will call you back ASAP.
ALERT: THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY
FOR
Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach Program
Did you notice the cuddly stuffed animals scattered throughout the pews on Sunday? Did you get a chance to hug one and whisper a prayer? Some congregants bring them to the communion rail for an extra blessing.
Our Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach program for those less fortunate at Shulzbacher Homeless Shelter and in nursing homes began January 4 and will continue until February 14 when we will distribute the stuffed animals as gifts. Please bring your gift teddy bears (or any stuffed animal of your choice) and place them on a pew to be hugged and filled with love. When you sit on a pew and discover a cuddly stuffed animal there beside you, give it a big bear hug, whisper a prayer for those less fortunate and/or ill who will receive the stuffed animal, and fill that animal with lots of love.
At the close of service this Sunday we will have a special prayer of blessing of the stuffed animals donated.
James 1:22, “..be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” teaches us we are to be more than “pew-warmers.”
St. Luke’s Community Church is devoting the entire month of February to learning to be better Christians and better witnesses as a church through interactive studies of the Gospel of St. Luke. All sermons during February will be drawn from St. Luke. Our Wednesday evenings will be devoted to spiritual development as a Christian Community Church. We will begin every Wednesday evening with a prepared meal (entrée, 2 sides, dessert and drink for $5 per person) at 5:30 PM, so you will not have to go home after work, but just come to Twar Hall for dinner. Following dinner Bil Detore, Clerk of our Church Board, will lead an in-depth study of the founding of the Christian church and the our spiritual responsibilities, individually and collectively as the body of Christ we call the church. All attendees will have participant study kits available.
WE HAVE HAD DOUBLE OUR NORMAL BIBLE STUDY ATTENDANCE PRE-REGISTER FOR DINNER/BIBLE STUDY FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF THIS PROGRAM!
Saturday, February 21, Rev. Harvey will host a Prayer Breakfast at 9:00 AM in Twar Hall. At 10:00 AM will we go out into our community and distribute invitations to attend the Health Fair the following Saturday. Please call the church office by Wednesday, February 18, and make reservations for the breakfast so that we can properly order and prepare food.
Saturday, February 28, we will be “the church in action” when we host a health fair with healthcare providers, counselors, advisors, free health screening, and much more. This will be our February Outreach to the Community to demonstrate our Christian concern for our neighbors.
Christ taught us to show our Christian love and reach out in His name to those in need, those who are hurting. We are called to be more than “pew-warmers.” It has been proven that churches who only look inward and do not reach outside the doors of their churches eventually implode. God is opening doors for us to reach out and touch lives as never before.
WHO HAVE YOU INVITED?
A recent survey in the United States revealed that over 90% of those who do not attend church said they would attend if someone invited them. The #1 reason given for not attending was that they did not feel “wanted” when they did attend. What does that say about those who attend on a regular basis? A church or a private social club?
A SPECIAL INVITATION
Jacksonville Black Pride extends an invitation to St. Luke’s Community Church to their International Federation Reception in appreciation and honor for the ministries of the church in our city. The reception will be held on Friday, February 6, 2009, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Downtown.
BILL KIMAK UPDATE
Several people called the office this week wanting address and telephone information for Bill Kimak. While visiting Bill today, Tommy and I were informed he is being moved to a new room. You may send cards, etc., to Bill Kimak, West Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation Center, 1650 Fouraker Road, Room 184 Window, Jacksonville, Florida 32221. For the present time, Bill will not have a telephone in his room. He asked that we give everyone his love.
LADIES’ MINISTRY OPPORTUNTY
The following email was received in the church office. This is a great opportunity for community involvement in the area of women’s health. If you are interested in assisting, please call the church office ASAP.
Reverend Carr,
My name is Debbie and I’m interning at the Duval County Health Dept under Gloria McNair. This email is a follow-up to the voicemail I left at your church looking for volunteers for a big women’s health fair to take place in March. I thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and any assistance you can provide in spreading the word around.
The BET Foundation is a charitable 501C3 organization that has received a grant from General Mills to fund a program targeted at specific health issues in women of color. Jacksonville has been chosen as a host site for a 2009 Women's Health Symposium, and the event will be held at Raines High School on March 14, 2009.
The Women's Health Symposium's theme is 'Remembering Our Health,' and is for women 18+ (Men ARE allowed to attend if they are 18+). Participants are required to register prior to the event. BET is expecting 1500 participants, so we are actively searching for 100+ volunteers. All volunteers are required to register and will be required to attend a volunteer orientation on Thursday, March 12th from 6-8 pm. The orientation will be held at Raines High School as well. Volunteers can choose to volunteer the entire day on March 12th (8 am - 5 pm) or are able to choose one of two shifts: (8 am to 12 noon) or (12 noon – 5pm). We are in the process of setting up an online volunteer registration site where interested volunteers can sign up online.
The event will include:
* Free Health Screenings/Exhibits & Vendors
* Breakfast
* Keynote Speaker
* Panel Discussions
* Ask the Experts/Q&A
* Lunch
* Breakout Workshops (see below)
* Panel Advice
* Performance by a Celebrity
Workshop Topics:
* Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol
* Reproductive Health
* Mental Health
* Oral Health
* Fitness, Nutrition
* Chronic Disease
* Healthy Aging
* Financial Health
* Diabetes 101
If you or any potential volunteers have any questions, let me know and I will try my best to answer them. If possible, please send me the approximate number of people from your organization(s) that are interested in volunteering by Tuesday, Feb. 3. Even a rough estimate will do fine in this situation.
You may visit the BET Foundation's website at http://www.bet.com/Lifestyle/bodysoul/Life_SAB_About_The_BET_Foundation
Thank you,
Debbie S. Croasdaile
AmeriCorps Member
North Florida Health Corps
904.329.9931
If you wish to be added to our prayer list, or know of anyone we should add to our prayer list, please call the church office or Rev. Harvey.
Our 2009 Church Board
Jerry Gardner, Stephen Jones, Bil Detore, Debra Vasquez, Bernadette Stephens
Our Interim Pastor
Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr
Our Minister of Music
Tommy Strong
Our “Don’t Go to Church; Be the Church” Development Program
Our Extended Family
Adam Bowman – Employment
Barbara Stafford – Cancer
Bill Kimak – (West Jax Rehabilitation)
Bill Solomon
Chris Brevaldo – Thanksgiving for new job!
Connie & Saundra
Dennis Bohlke – Employment
Don’s Father
Don Green
Eric Lawton - Medical Tests
Ernestine Appleton – Recuperating at home following knee replacement surgery
Rev. Lee Carlton – Cancer
Kerry (and Claudia’s) mother – hospitalized with breathing problems
Lora Leatham – Incurable Brain Cancer
Norma Bishop - Pacemaker Implant
P.J. Britt – Follicular Lymphoma
Prudencia’s Aunt – Cancer
Ray Kelly’s Mother – Recuperating at home following surgery to remove a kidney
Rich Goicoechea – Emphysema
Rick
Robert Ford
Ruth Hightower – Cancer
Stephen Jones – Jaw Pain
Steve Harper – Employment
Should you know of any of our congregants or friends of the church who are ill and/or hospitalized, please e-mail or phone the church office so that we can properly arrange for prayer and visitation.
St. Luke’s Prayer Warriors
Available to provide you prayer and support
Barbara Stump – Call Anytime. 272-6256 (Home), 318-4187 (Cell)
Don Green – Call Tue., Thurs. – Sat. After 7:00pm, Sundays – afternoon & evening, 772-8466 (Home), 881-5922 (Cell)
Angela Moody – 861-7533
Rev. Jack Inman – 672-9868
CHURCH CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION
During the next few weeks, we are suggesting that should you wish to provide flowers for the church sanctuary, you provide plants or flowers which can be planted around the church campus for continuous beautification of our property.
A very special “thank you” to Miguel Portillo and Saul Eck for the beautiful flowers placed on the dais each Sunday for several months. Their faithfulness in these gifts to beautify our sanctuary in honor of God is certainly appreciated.
If you would like to provide flowers for services, you may call one of our members, Robert Wheeler at American Beauty Florist, 388-0094, or you may call the florist of your choice. We suggest you make an offering for flowers, indicating such on the envelope, and the church office staff will order them from Robert Wheeler.
THANK YOU, PARTY WORLD!
Bill and Alvin with Party World, 7749 Normandy Boulevard, made a very generous donation of $7500 worth (that’s right -- $7500!!!!) of paper plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, table coverings, balloons, etc., to the church. Our Hospitality Team has been overwhelmed at their generosity, not to mention attempting to properly store such a large inventory!! We encourage you to phone them at 781-5353 and express your gratitude or stop by and tell them in person.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Ms. Monique Baker, our Children’s Ministry Leader, directs our Children’s Church where our children have a grand time with Bible studies, videos, crafts and games designed to teach about God and the love of Christ.
They meet every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Two adults are present with the children at all times.
Parents should bring their children to the Children’s Room located on first floor of the Educational Building (through the front gate and into the courtyard) and sign them in before going to the Worship Service.
We need more adults on the Children’s Ministry Team. If you can take a Sunday to help out with the children please let Monique know. We still need Children’s Bible Story DVD’s for this ministry, like “Veggie Tales” that are available at Wal-Mart.
Keep watching ACT 29 and announcements in services for special events being planned for our children.
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR TAX FILINGS
Records have been printed for filing with your annual Income Tax Returns. If you have not yet received your report, you may call the church office for a copy.
Valentine’s Dinner/Show/Dance
Our annual Valentine’s Dinner/Show/Dance will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 14, in Twar Hall. The dinner will feature Chicken Alfredo. Lillian and Chewy will perform. Admission will be $5 per person. Remember to also tip the performers, as they donate their tips back to the church.
REACHING OUT IN JESUS’ NAME
Website of the month is www.thehungersite.com. Donate food, free mammograms, free child healthcare, free books to promote literacy, protect endangered habitats, free food and care for animals…all by just clicking. There are other sites like this, too, where you can donate by clicking. Check out www.freekibble.com to donate free food to animal shelters and www.cascadeclean.com/en_US/cascadefeedsamerica to donate meals to hungry children.
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP – THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
The first and third Friday night of each month we gather for BINGO, FUN, FELLOWSHP and PRIZES !! For a $5 donation you will get to play from 7 to 9 p.m.! $5 is added to the 50-number-cover-all when there is no winner. The cash grand prize continues to grow until it is won. February 6 it will be $45. Hotdogs and soft drinks are available for $1 each. Sue Birks, director of the Bingo, is requesting donations of small gifts as prizes. Please see Sue Biks if you can assist.
“Reflection” from Rev. Harvey
RISE UP, O MEN (and WOMEN) OF GOD
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord.
--Psalm 12:5
Something is terribly wrong in our world. Some of God's children are ill-fed, homeless, diseased, and abused. Many people do not know the comforts of a home nor the security of a free state. Who will care for these lowly children of God?
The Bible says that the Lord will rise up in behalf of these people, but it also says that God will do so through the servants and followers of Christ. That means that God will provide for the poorer children through the grace of the richer ones. We are called to give from our blessed abundance that others less fortunate might live. This is not an option for Christians but a basic mandate upon which our faith is built. We are the hands, the feet, the eyes, and the voice of the Lord. Let us serve Christ well.
We sing the hymn “Rise Up, O Men of God” with great bravdo. As Christ’s body we must rise up and meet the challenges of those less fortunate. Christ said, “As you have done it unto the least of one of these, you have done it unto me.” Let us “Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod; As foll’wers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O Men (and Women) of God.”
Prayer:
Use me as You will, O Lord. Make me an instrument of Your glory and will. Send the power of Your Spirit into the world through me. Amen.
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
St. Luke’s Community Church’s 35th Anniversary will be celebrated April 25 and 26. We need volunteers to assist with planning of our celebration. The Saturday evening dinner will feature a Polynesian Review. If you would like to assist in this area, please see Michael Vetrano and Rev. Jack Inman as soon as possible.
FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY
Help St. Luke's do our part! PLEASE bring food items to donate and place them in the red bucket in the narthex or the shopping cart in Twar Hall. The food pantry is in need of toilet tissue, disposable razors, bar soap, bottled water, canned vegetables, canned meat, cereal, boxed meals, any non-perishables, etc.
Food given out on February 3: 35 bags (35 families, 95 people), 6 homeless bags, and 8 new clients were served.
WE ALWAYS NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE FOOD PANTRY ON TUESDAYS from 10:00am to Noon. St. Luke's co-sponsors with Trinity Lutheran Church @ the corner of McDuff and Park. St. Luke's also has volunteers that work at the food pantry. If you can help, see Michael Vetrano or call the church office.
HOSPITALITY TEAM WISH LIST
If you can donate or help with any of these items, see Sue Birks or any Board Member. Please help out with any of these items needed to improve our kitchen area.
 Commercial Cook top/Oven
 New Faucets (needed 2)
 A/C Unit for Kitchen (currently NO VENTILATION) prefer 200 volt unit due to size of kitchen
HIV/AIDS remains a persistent threat to the health and well-being of many African-American communities. It’s time that we step up our efforts to address this crisis, and meet the serious challenges that confront us everyday.
February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a national mobilization effort designed to encourage African-Americans across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.
When we look at HIV/AIDS by race and ethnicity, we see that African-Americans have more illness (even though blacks account for about 13% of the U.S. population, they account for about half [49%] of the people who get HIV and AIDS); shorter survival times (Blacks with AIDS often don’t live as long as people of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS); and more deaths (for African-Americans and other blacks, HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death).
In Duval County, 71% (1,561) of all HIV cases and 63% (3,705) of all AIDS cases are among the African-American citizens. It is the #1 killer of African-Americans aged 25-44 in the State of Florida, many of these having been infected while in their teens.
It has been said that when we come together in unity, we can make a difference in the community. As a person of influence in the African-American community, we ask you to join us in encouraging African-Americans across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS. Statistics show that African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic’s beginning. Let’s do our part to make a difference!
As a part of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Program, our HIV/AIDS Ministry will be offering free Confidential and/or Anonymous Testing on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the sacristy. Any person aged 13 and older is guaranteed confidentiality and/or anonymity for HIV testing under the statutes of the State of Florida.
For more information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), visit http://www.blackaidsday.org/
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
HIV Testing – 1ST and 3RD Sundays of each month @ St. Luke’s Sacristy 1:00pm – 3:00pm
AA – Meetings held in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2nd floor) every Tue. & Fri. at 7:00pm
SLAA – (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous) Meets every Mon. & Thurs. evening at 7:00pm in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2ND floor)
Retired & Plus 60 Club – Meets the 2ND Thurs. every month at 2:00pm in Twar Hall
PFLAG – Meetings held 3RD Thurs. of the month 7:00pm @ CCOP
NFAN Client Luncheon – Last Friday of every month in Twar Hall
World AIDS Week Committee Luncheon – Second Tuesday of every month in Twar Hall
RECYCLE ALUMINUM CANS
Bring them to the barrels in the courtyard under the stair. Drink cans, vegetable cans, etc. are all great to bring, but please rinse them out so they don’t attract ants. Proceeds go to help our Hospitality Team provide refreshments and supplies to run our kitchen. Many thanks to all who contribute cans.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
2/3 Gayle Brown, Preston Christian, Jr.
2/6 Don Rull
2/9 Soundra Jackson
2/11 Adam Bowman
2/12 Drew Boger
2/21 Hannah Randalls
2/26 Norma Bishop
2/28 Mary Jo Box
If your special day is not listed above, please e-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com
Want to add something to in our web site’s calendar of events?? E-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com
Reminders
Bingo Night - Each month on 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7:00pm @ Twar Hall. $5 donation for all cards played 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for $1 each.
Wednesday Bible Study - Join us at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. PLEASE join us and bring your Bible.
Choir Practice - Every Sunday 9:15am. See any choir member or Tommy Strong to join!
Board Meeting - 2nd Sunday each month at noon in Twar Hall.
RISEN CHRIST BOOKSTORE - Open every Sunday following Worship.
Potluck - Every fourth Sunday. In Twar Hall, bring a dish to share.
See our full Calendar of Events on our website: www.stlukescommunitychurch.org
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